Prayer Request

I'm traveling to California with my Mom and brother tomorrow. Please play for safe travels. This is also an unexpected opportunity to spend some time with Jason. He's never really wanted to come along with us before (I can't imagine why, we're real fun girls), and I'm really excited he is coming. I hope this can be a really memorable, and healing time for him after a tough last few months. Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers over this next week, and beyond as he continues to search for comfort, and understanding and God's purpose for him. It's hard not to see God's hand in the rugged beauty of the West's scenery, and I hope that surround each of us on this trip!

Prayer For (Your Name Here)

This week in Beth Moore's Breaking Free study, she had the following prayer. Fill your name into the blanks, it's pretty powerful stuff!
My child, _____________, I loved you before you were born. I knit you in your mother’s womb, and knew what your first and last words would be. I knew every difficulty you, _____________, would face. I suffered each one with you. Even the ones you didn’t suffer with me. I had a plan for your life before you were born. The plan has not changed, _____________, no matter what has happened or what you have done. You see, I already knew all things concerning you before I formed you. I would never allow any hurt to come into your life that I could not use for eternity, _____________. Will you let Me? Your truth is incomplete unless you view it against the backdrop of my Truth. Your story, _____________, will forever remain incomplete until you let Me do what only I can do with your hurt. Let Me perfect that which concerns you.
I remain,
Your Faithful Father

Sad News Update

Nycki passed away this afternoon. The ministers from her family's church were praying for her at her bedside when she passed, and I am so grateful they were able to be with her and the family during this time.

Sad News

I am so sad to be writing this. I didn't think I would have to write this. Over the last week Nycki has been improving in baby steps. Each day there was something new to be excited about. She has remained on life support, but it seemed that there were steps that were now laid out to getting better. I couldn't believe it. I know God is still a miracle worker, and I was so amazed to be watching one of these unfold in front of me. She has remained heavily sedated, and unable to do much, though she has brought peace to those that have visited with her with a rare smile, or a squeeze of the hand, and even a nod of the head. I looked forward into the future, and I wondered how God would weave this into her life as she recovered, who she would be, what she could do. Today, I found out that this is the end of the road here on earth for Nycki, and it will be those that surround her that will be carrying forward and sharing her story. To make a long story short, there are three organs that would need to be transplated, and in her condition, and with the instant need, this will not be possible. They have slowly begun to remove the life support. She may not be here in the morning, and she will not make it through tomorrow, according to the doctors. I pray that she will enter Heaven today. I pray that she leaves peacefully and finds a perfect body, no more pain, and a perfect welcome, and knows we are all headed up there and so excited about celebrating with her, and loving her as sisters and brothers in Christ. I pray for her family, and in particular her son, his protection, and for Godly people to enter his life. I pray that God can use Jason to comfort him and guide him. I know Jason has been groomed through his life experiences to be a mentor, and I'm praying for strength for him, and the will to take these lessons learned and be the man God calls him to be on the long road ahead. I know God's timing is perfect. I know God's plan is perfect. Sometimes it is so hard to explain life this side of heaven, and we just accept it through faith in a loving God.

Prayer Request Update

Thanks for those who are praying for Nycki. She is still on life support in the ICU. Everyone was glad that things have at least been stable over the last few days, but today her white blood cell counts were high, which is a sign the infection was getting worse. The hospital has adjusted some medicine. In the medical world, none of this is good news. I still believe God is in the miracle business, and I know that despite any medic's statistics, if God wills it, she can get better. Please continue to pray for strength for all that love, and care for Nycki, and for her recovery. I pray to see those prayers at work in Nycki's life, and I already see them at work in the live's of those around her finding strength where the world would have none, but God has provided.

Prayer Request

Most of you know, or know OF my brother's girlfriend, Nycki. They have been together off and on since they were 16. They dated for about 6 years as rebellious teens, broke up in their mid-twenties...for the following years they remained friends, but moved on romantically. Nycki has a son who is now 8. Life brought Jason and Nycki back together again after divorces. Over the last two years they have been testing the waters and dating pretty seriously, trying to see how dating as 'grown ups' works. This last Thursday I picked Jason up at work to take home his dog (he usually takes public transportation, but his co-worker gave him a puppy from a litter of dogs he owned, and he knew I'd want to meet it). I dropped him off, and left to attend a meeting, and run errands. My Mom tried to call Jason that evening to ask about Peanut, but got no response. He tends to go to bed early b/c he gets up early, so this wasn't too unusual. This is a story for another time, but I had a lot of trouble falling asleep, I was completely awake until almost two, and then drifting in and out of fog when the phone rang. I remember that Jason was on my mind. The caller ID had his number. He told us that he had been at the emergency room all night. He had mentioned previously that Nycki had not been feeling well for the last three weeks (she is sick quit a bit), but he also had been pretty sick. He said he had been worried because she wasn't eating, and she lost a lot of weight (something she could not afford to do), and he had been urging her to go to the doctor, and each bite of food had been a battle. When he got home on Thursday he found her passed out. Fortunately, they live about a mile from the hospital. He took her to the hospital when she was unresponsive. After test, the hospital determined that her kidneys have stopped functioning, and her insides are completely septic because of kidney failure. The doctors gave her a 50/50 chance of survival. We've been praying for a recovery, but so far she has progressively been getting worse. The infection has not responded to antibiotics, her liver is now having problems, and there is fluid around her lungs. Today, they were scared to discover her hands and feet have started losing circulation. They have kept her sedated through this ordeal. You can imagine, everyone is completely devastated. Her parents, and friends have been able to be with her in the ICU, and Jason has been staying at the hospital all the hours visitor are allowed. He's gone through a roller coaster of emotions feeling hopeful, and then having moments of realizing how different his life, and the life of all who love her will be if God chooses for her to go during this ordeal. Her son does not know about the seriousness of her illness, and has not been up to see her due to the machines they have working to help her recover. I can't even imagine how her parents are feeling. They have another son my age who was sick as a baby, and due to a high fever now is mentally handicapped. They have a great deal of things to balance as they are caring for Nycki. I pray for Nycki's recovery, and God's comfort to be with everyone during this time. My human mind can't imagine how the worst could be the 'best' for all involved, but I hold tightly to Romans 8:28 "All things work together for good to those who love God." I have proof of that in my own life. I trust God, and ask that you lift up Nycki and all those who care for her as God's plan is unraveled.